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Let’s be honest — destination weddings are beautiful and unique in their own way. There’s something about an intimate setting with all your close friends, in a celebration of love and marriage. Rather than pick any destination wedding, we think it’s important to search out the best gay-friendly ones, and let the planning commence! Check out HuffPost’s “World’s Most Gay-Friendly Travel Destinations, As Ranked By Lonely Planet”, to find a full list. Our favorite destination? We definitely wouldn’t mind tying the knot in Uruguay…

Ketubah Tip: Are you in the midst of already planning your Destination Wedding? Check out our material options for Rolled Canvas or Verona — each come rolled in a tube, perfect for travel!

Just over two weeks ago, Taiwan Pride — the largest LGBT Pride festival in Asia — was celebrated in Taipei with approximately 65 000 attendees. Amongst those were smaller groups of supporters from more restrictive and conservative Asian countries like Japan and mainland China. While Taiwan does not recognise same-sex marriage, it’s progress in LGBT rights has seen the introduction of anti-discrimination legislation in employment and allows openly gay citizens to serve in the military as well. This year’s march was largely in support of a bill that has been in Parliament since last year that could legalise gay marriage, but has been stalled numerous times.

Taiwan’s progress in gay and lesbian rights is an inspiration to the rest of Asia, particularly at a time when countries like Brunei have reintroduced sharia law and the persecution of gays. Equally, Taiwan’s openness and public acceptance of homosexuality is a great example for the 18 US states that are yet to legalise gay marriage and recognise same-sex weddings. Early this week, a federal judge in Kansas declared the state’s ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional. While he has put a hold on his own order so that the state has a chance to appeal, we hope that the spirit of gay pride and equality will prevail.

The U.S. government will soon recognize same-sex marriage in six more states, bringing federal benefits to each of those couples. This will bring the number to 32 states that allow for same-sex marriage rights, including Washington D.C. This past month has truly been influential in the Same-Sex community and the U.S. has taken such extreme strides in favor of marriage equality. Just recently, the U.S. government overturned bans in Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, North Carolina, West Virginia and Wyoming — amazing!!! Keep updated with our Bagel Blog to learn all the latest Same-Sex marriage updates and news.

For days now we have been pretty much GLUED to twitter, facebook and any other social media outlet you can think of. For many of the Same-Sex couples out there, we are sure you have been as well! With everything going on and the recent over turning of many Same-Sex marriage bans, we can’t help but feel that equality is finally happening. Not only is it happening now, but progress finally feels official and before we know it — EVERY state in the U.S. will be able to enjoy the right to Same-Sex marriage. The Same-Sex Marriage map is changing rapidly (click to see map here!) and we couldn’t be more excited!!!

As video game nerds ourselves, we can’t help but love a common theme we’ve been seeing — video game inspired weddings! Most of us are 80’s babies and spent a vast majority of our adolescence playing pac-man, atari and other ridiculous arcade games. Fast-forward 20 years later and we’re still playing Mario in our office… but this time it’s on the wii! ;) Take a look at our five favorite pieces to complete the perfect video game inspired wedding!

These mushroom cufflinks are the perfect subtle touch to your wedding day! Not only that, but let’s be honest — Mushroom is EVERYONE’S favorite character. Order these cufflinks here!

Ditto for Princess Peach. If you were a girl that played Mario Bros., Princess Peach was your all time favorite (although perhaps begrudgingly for some of us… I mean really Peach, get it together and stop getting captured!) These pixelated Princess Peach studs add a quirky touch to your Big Day. Order these earrings here!

Make your first toast as a married couple — with a video game flare! These fun painted glasses are a cute way to say you’ve officially found your Player 2 for life. :) Order these glasses here!

From over the team over at TINAK, this awesome video game inspired Ketubah is one of our absolute favorites! The pixelated text and simple extra touches creates the perfect blend of retro style and Ketubah tradition. Order your custom Ketubah here!

Send your fun save the dates in this fun video game inspired cards! We love the classic pixelated style and romantic castle in the background. Buy these Save the Dates here!

This in light of all the other states that are soon to be allowing Same-Sex marriage (FINALLY), truly made out hearts swell up with love, joy and pure bliss. We couldn’t be more excited for all the Virginia couples and soon to be Same-Sex couples in other states as well. And as always, would be BEYOND honored to create your Same-Sex Ketubah!

After all the emotion and teary-eyed Same-Sex couples all over social media recently, we couldn’t help but think… Virginia really is for lovers! :)

We love the opportunity to create the most unique Ketubah possible for every one of our Same-Sex couples. The more unique of a request, the better! Some of our favorite Ketubahs on our site are the designs with couples. There’s nothing quite like a snapshot of your relationship, the day you said I do, or just a regular day in your lives together to truly capture your love and commitment to one another. Many of these Ketubahs come from This is not a Ketubah (TINAK), who happen to have TONS of Ketubahs with couples — Same-Sex and Hetero. TINAK specializes in creating and tweaking the design to be EXACTLY how you want it, which is why we put some of their Bride & Groom Ketubahs up on our site! As of yet these Ketubahs haven’t been tweaked to be made for a Same-Sex couple, but they are more than flexible and would love the opportunity (as would we) to make the design of your dreams happen! Take a look at our new Gallery here of Ketubahs that can be changed to be Same-Sex.

After 72 years of being together Iowa couple Vivian Boyack And Alice “Nonie” Dubes finally tied the knot! Not only are they the most ADORABLE couple ever (check out the video here!), but it’s amazing that they have made it to such a long time together. Regardless of tying the knot or not, being together during the times they were together is such a huge testament to their commitment, connection and love. Their thoughts on being able to get married after being together for 7 decades?

This time of year means one thing on the brain: official count down to High Holidays! This time of year means togetherness and spiritual introspection, but it also means delicious, Kosher foods. Team Bagel is filled with big Jewish foodies (Hello… BAGEL is in our name! hahaha). We love swapping delicious recipes and new Kosher treats — especially ones that have been in our families for years. We’re just starting to search around for new recipes and this gallery definitely has our mouths watering a bit. What Kosher recipes will you pull out for High Holidays this year? Comment and share your favorite treats below! :)

And for the TRUE foodies at heart — we have the PERFECT Ketubah for you:

The Ketubah is more than just a beautiful design or body of text — it’s a symbol. A symbol of two people’s lives becoming one. It’s a work of art that conveys the commitment, love and lifelong devotion of two people. We firmly believe that a couple’s Ketubah should show every side of their personality, interests and background. The Celtic Inspired Ketubahs contain a unique beauty and richness in design and meaning. Each design features its’ own Celtic Inspired style, while also highlighting the emphasis of the Ketubah text and tradition. These designs are perfect for the couple that wants something to reflect their roots… or simply just love the Celtic style!

The Welsh Dragon Ketubah is definitely our favorite from the whole collection (and was recently launched!), but there are tons more designs to choose from — each with their own distinct style. Take a look at the full Celtic Inspired Ketubah Gallery here!